U.S. patent application number 17/355985 was filed with the patent office on 2022-02-03 for automatic conferencing channel for role-based collaboration.
The applicant listed for this patent is The Boeing Company. Invention is credited to Kenneth W. Sain, Andreas Sindlinger.
Application Number | 20220038399 17/355985 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | |
Filed Date | 2022-02-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220038399 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sain; Kenneth W. ; et
al. |
February 3, 2022 |
AUTOMATIC CONFERENCING CHANNEL FOR ROLE-BASED COLLABORATION
Abstract
A method of role-based collaboration includes accessing
information about a project that includes tasks to be executed, and
that includes roles for execution of the tasks, the information
including the roles and specified team members assigned to the
roles. The method includes creating a conferencing channel for the
project, with role-based group membership. The method includes
role-based joining the specified team members as group members of
the conferencing channel. The specified team members are
automatically joined as the group members, which automatically
change contemporaneous with any corresponding changes in the
specified team members assigned to the roles. The method further
includes transferring messages between the group members and
thereby the specified team members via the conferencing channel
that is accessible to the specified team members from client
software running on devices usable by the specified team
members.
Inventors: |
Sain; Kenneth W.; (Greenwood
Village, CO) ; Sindlinger; Andreas; (Weinheim,
DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
The Boeing Company |
Chicago |
IL |
US |
|
|
Appl. No.: |
17/355985 |
Filed: |
June 23, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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63057680 |
Jul 28, 2020 |
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International
Class: |
H04L 12/58 20060101
H04L012/58; G06Q 10/06 20060101 G06Q010/06; H04L 29/06 20060101
H04L029/06 |
Claims
1. An apparatus, comprising: a memory configured to store
computer-readable program code; and processing circuitry configured
to access the memory, and execute the computer-readable program
code to cause the apparatus to at least: access information about a
project that includes tasks to be executed, and that includes roles
for execution of the tasks, the information including the roles and
specified team members assigned to the roles; create a conferencing
channel for the project, with role-based group membership, in an
online conferencing system; join the specified team members as
group members of the conferencing channel according to the roles to
which the specified team members are assigned, the specified team
members automatically joined as the group members of the
conferencing channel, and the apparatus caused to automatically
change the group members of the conferencing channel
contemporaneous with any corresponding changes in the specified
team members assigned to the roles; and transfer messages between
the group members and thereby the specified team members via the
conferencing channel that is accessible to the specified team
members from client software running on user devices usable by the
specified team members.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus caused to access
the information about the project includes the apparatus caused to
access the information including role identifiers for the roles,
and wherein the apparatus caused to join the specified team members
includes the apparatus caused to join the specified team members as
the group members that are identified in the conferencing channel
by at least the role identifiers of the roles to which the
specified team members are assigned.
3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus caused to
transfer the messages includes the apparatus caused to transfer the
messages via the conferencing channel that is accessible to the
specified team members from the client software embodied as a
software application accessible to all of the specified team
members.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus caused to
transfer the messages includes the apparatus caused to transfer the
messages via the conferencing channel that is accessible to the
specified team members from the client software integrated with
role-based software applications accessible to the specified team
members according to the roles to which the specified team members
are assigned.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the project is a scheduled
trip with a transportation service provider that includes at least
crew roles, and the apparatus caused to access the information
includes the apparatus caused to access the information from at
least one transportation operations planning system.
6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the project is a scheduled
flight of an aircraft that includes at least flight crew and ground
crew, and the apparatus caused to access the information includes
the apparatus caused to access the information from at least one
airline operations planning system, and wherein the apparatus
caused to transfer the messages includes the apparatus caused to
transfer the messages via the conferencing channel that is
accessible to the specified team members from the client software
running on the user devices including at least an electronic flight
bag (EFB).
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processing circuitry is
configured to execute the computer-readable program code to cause
the apparatus to further at least: access a chatbot with access to
the information about the project, the chatbot configured to
receive the messages, and automatically for at least some of the
messages, identify any responsive information about the project,
and reply with the responsive information; and join the chatbot as
an additional one of the group members of the conferencing
channel.
8. A method, comprising: accessing information about a project that
includes tasks to be executed, and that includes roles for
execution of the tasks, the information including the roles and
specified team members assigned to the roles; creating a
conferencing channel for the project, with role-based group
membership, in an online conferencing system; joining the specified
team members as group members of the conferencing channel according
to the roles to which the specified team members are assigned, the
specified team members automatically joined as the group members of
the conferencing channel, and the group members of the conferencing
channel automatically changing contemporaneous with any
corresponding changes in the specified team members assigned to the
roles; and transferring messages between the group members and
thereby the specified team members via the conferencing channel
that is accessible to the specified team members from client
software running on user devices usable by the specified team
members.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein accessing the information about
the project includes accessing the information including role
identifiers for the roles, and wherein joining the specified team
members includes joining the specified team members as the group
members that are identified in the conferencing channel by at least
the role identifiers of the roles to which the specified team
members are assigned.
10. The method of claim 8, wherein transferring the messages
includes transferring the messages via the conferencing channel
that is accessible to the specified team members from the client
software embodied as a software application accessible to all of
the specified team members.
11. The method of claim 8, wherein transferring the messages
includes transferring the messages via the conferencing channel
that is accessible to the specified team members from the client
software integrated with role-based software applications
accessible to the specified team members according to the roles to
which the specified team members are assigned.
12. The method of claim 8, wherein the project is a scheduled trip
with a transportation service provider that includes at least crew
roles, and accessing the information includes accessing the
information from at least one transportation operations planning
system.
13. The method of claim 8, wherein the project is a scheduled
flight of an aircraft that includes at least flight crew and ground
crew, and accessing the information includes accessing the
information from at least one airline operations planning system,
and wherein transferring the messages includes transferring the
messages via the conferencing channel that is accessible to the
specified team members from the client software running on the user
devices including at least an electronic flight bag (EFB).
14. The method of claim 8 further comprising: accessing a chatbot
with access to the information about the project, the chatbot
configured to receive the messages, and automatically for at least
some of the messages, identify any responsive information about the
project, and reply with the responsive information; and joining the
chatbot as an additional one of the group members of the
conferencing channel.
15. A system, comprising: a server computer; an information source
communicatively coupled to the server computer and including
information about a project that includes tasks to be executed, and
that includes roles for execution of the tasks, the information
including the roles and specified team members assigned to the
roles; and an online conferencing system coupled to the server
computer, wherein the server computer is configured to at least:
create a conferencing channel for the project, with role-based
group membership, in an online conferencing system; join the
specified team members as group members of the conferencing channel
according to the roles to which the specified team members are
assigned, the specified team members automatically joined as the
group members of the conferencing channel; and automatically change
the group members of the conferencing channel contemporaneous with
any corresponding changes in the specified team members assigned to
the roles.
16. The system of claim 15 further comprising: a plurality of user
devices usable by the specified team members to transfer messages
between the group members, the plurality of user devices configured
to run client software from which the conferencing channel is
accessible to the specified team members, the server computer
configured to transfer the messages between the group members and
thereby the specified team members via the conferencing
channel.
17. The system of claim 15, wherein the information about the
project includes role identifiers for the roles, and the server
computer configured to join the specified team members includes the
server computer configured to join the specified team members as
the group members that are identified in the conferencing channel
by at least the role identifiers of the roles to which the
specified team members are assigned.
18. The system of claim 15, wherein the project is a scheduled trip
with a transportation service provider that includes at least crew
roles, and the information source includes at least one
transportation operations planning system.
19. The system of claim 15, wherein the project is a scheduled
flight of an aircraft that includes at least flight crew and ground
crew, and the information source includes at least one airline
operations planning system, and wherein the conferencing channel is
accessible to the specified team members from client software
running on a plurality of user devices usable by the specified team
members, the plurality of user devices including at least an
electronic flight bag (EFB).
20. The system of claim 15 further comprising: a chatbot configured
to receive the messages, and automatically for at least some of the
messages, identify any responsive information about the project,
and reply with the responsive information, wherein the server
computer is configured to join the chatbot as an additional one of
the group members of the conferencing channel.
Description
TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to role-based
collaboration, and in particular, to an automatic conferencing
channel for role-based collaboration.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Transportation crew and staff typically use communication
tools to perform operations. For example, airline personnel
typically use various methods of communication during flight turn
operations. Such communications may include the use of hardwired
phones in the passenger boarding bridge that are connected to the
gate, traditional phone lines from the gate to the operations
office, very high frequency (VHF) radios from the flight deck to
the operations office, handheld radios used from the below wing
personnel to the operations office, hardwired channels from the
below wing mechanic to the flight deck, and airline personnel's
personal mobile phones. Other transportation operations, such as
passenger train and cruise ship operations, also use a number of
methods of communications. Transportation service providers today
lack robust real-time communication tools.
[0003] It would therefore be desirable to have a system and method
that takes into account at least some of the issues discussed
above, as well as other possible issues.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0004] Example implementations of the present disclosure are
directed to role-based collaboration for a project that includes
tasks to be executed. Example implementations automatically create
conferencing channels for projects, with role-based group
membership according to team members assigned to roles for
execution of tasks of the projects, which may be retrieved from
information about the project that is accessible. In the context of
an aircraft or a scheduled flight of an aircraft, example
implementations may generate a conferencing channel based on
ingestion of information such as flight scheduling data like crew
and flight planning information, aircraft health maintenance, and
other flight-related data.
[0005] Individual conferencing channels may be automatically
generated for each project based on the assignment of team members
to various roles, and the assignment of various roles to each
conferencing channel. For example, crew including pilot/co-pilot,
ground crew/operations, gate agent, and lead purser may be assigned
to a conferencing channel for a specific flight to enable the crew
to communicate and provide status, timing updates, and address
potential delays or maintenance issues more efficiently and
effectively than allowed for with current communication methods.
Additionally, the role-based nature of joining team members as
group members of a conferencing channel may avoid disruptions in
communication when team members assigned to roles unexpectedly
change or are reassigned. This automatic generation of the
conferencing channel may be accomplished for many if not all
scheduled trips of a specific transportation service provider,
allowing for the automatic connection and organization of thousands
of resources across thousands of trips. Example implementations may
also save messages exchanged between the group members to allow for
later analysis and/or audits of response time and effectivity, and
turnaround time and cause of delays.
[0006] The present disclosure thus includes, without limitation,
the following example implementations.
[0007] Some example implementations provide a method of role-based
collaboration, the method comprising accessing information about a
project that includes tasks to be executed, and that includes roles
for execution of the tasks, the information including the roles and
specified team members assigned to the roles; creating a
conferencing channel for the project, with role-based group
membership, in an online conferencing system; joining the specified
team members as group members of the conferencing channel according
to the roles to which the specified team members are assigned, the
specified team members automatically joined as the group members of
the conferencing channel, and the group members of the conferencing
channel automatically changing contemporaneous with any
corresponding changes in the specified team members assigned to the
roles; and transferring messages between the group members and
thereby the specified team members via the conferencing channel
that is accessible to the specified team members from client
software running on devices usable by the specified team
members.
[0008] In some example implementations of the method of any
preceding example implementation, or any combination of any
preceding example implementations, accessing the information about
the project includes accessing the information including role
identifiers for the roles, and wherein joining the specified team
members includes joining the specified team members as the group
members that are identified in the conferencing channel by at least
the role identifiers of the roles to which the specified team
members are assigned.
[0009] In some example implementations of the method of any
preceding example implementation, or any combination of any
preceding example implementations, transferring the messages
includes transferring the messages via the conferencing channel
that is accessible to the specified team members from the client
software embodied as a software application accessible to all of
the specified team members.
[0010] In some example implementations of the method of any
preceding example implementation, or any combination of any
preceding example implementations, transferring the messages
includes transferring the messages via the conferencing channel
that is accessible to the specified team members from the client
software integrated with role-based software applications
accessible to the specified team members according to the roles to
which the specified team members are assigned.
[0011] In some example implementations of the method of any
preceding example implementation, or any combination of any
preceding example implementations, the project is a scheduled trip
with a transportation service provider that includes at least crew
roles, and accessing the information includes accessing the
information from at least one transportation operations planning
system.
[0012] In some example implementations of the method of any
preceding example implementation, or any combination of any
preceding example implementations, the project is a scheduled
flight of an aircraft that includes at least flight crew and ground
crew, and accessing the information includes accessing the
information from at least one airline operations planning system,
and wherein transferring the messages includes transferring the
messages via the conferencing channel that is accessible to the
specified team members from the client software running on the
devices including at least an electronic flight bag (EFB).
[0013] In some example implementations of the method of any
preceding example implementation, or any combination of any
preceding example implementations, the method further comprises
accessing a chatbot with access to the information about the
project, the chatbot configured to receive the messages, and
automatically for at least some of the messages, identify any
responsive information about the project, and reply with the
responsive information; and joining the chatbot as an additional
one of the group members of the conferencing channel.
[0014] Some example implementations provide an apparatus,
comprising a memory configured to store computer-readable program
code; and processing circuitry configured to access the memory, and
execute the computer-readable program code to cause the apparatus
to at least perform the method of any preceding example
implementation, or any combination of any preceding example
implementations.
[0015] Some example implementations provide a computer-readable
storage medium, the computer-readable storage medium being
non-transitory and having computer-readable program code stored
therein that, in response to execution by processing circuitry,
causes an apparatus to at least perform the method of any preceding
example implementation, or any combination of any preceding example
implementations.
[0016] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the
present disclosure will be apparent from a reading of the following
detailed description together with the accompanying figures, which
are briefly described below. The present disclosure includes any
combination of two, three, four or more features or elements set
forth in this disclosure, regardless of whether such features or
elements are expressly combined or otherwise recited in a specific
example implementation described herein. This disclosure is
intended to be read holistically such that any separable features
or elements of the disclosure, in any of its aspects and example
implementations, should be viewed as combinable unless the context
of the disclosure clearly dictates otherwise.
[0017] It will therefore be appreciated that this Brief Summary is
provided merely for purposes of summarizing some example
implementations so as to provide a basic understanding of some
aspects of the disclosure. Accordingly, it will be appreciated that
the above described example implementations are merely examples and
should not be construed to narrow the scope or spirit of the
disclosure in any way. Other example implementations, aspects and
advantages will become apparent from the following detailed
description taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures
which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of some
described example implementations.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURE(S)
[0018] Having thus described example implementations of the
disclosure in general terms, reference will now be made to the
accompanying figures, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and
wherein:
[0019] FIG. 1 illustrates an aircraft according to some example
implementations of the present disclosure;
[0020] FIG. 2 illustrates a system for role-based collaboration,
according to some example implementations;
[0021] FIG. 3 illustrates a graphical user interface (GUI) of
client software from which a conferencing channel of a conferencing
system is accessible, according to some example
implementations;
[0022] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating various steps in a method
of role-based collaboration, according to example implementations;
and
[0023] FIG. 5 illustrates an apparatus according to some example
implementations.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] Some implementations of the present disclosure will now be
described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying
figures, in which some, but not all implementations of the
disclosure are shown. Indeed, various implementations of the
disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not
be construed as limited to the implementations set forth herein;
rather, these example implementations are provided so that this
disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the
scope of the disclosure to those skilled in the art. For example,
unless specified otherwise or clear from context, references to
first, second or the like should not be construed to imply a
particular order. A feature may be described as being above another
feature (unless specified otherwise or clear from context) may
instead be below, and vice versa; and similarly, features described
as being to the left of another feature else may instead be to the
right, and vice versa. As used herein, unless specified otherwise
or clear from context, the "or" of a set of operands is the
"inclusive or" and thereby true if and only if one or more of the
operands is true, as opposed to the "exclusive or" which is false
when all of the operands are true. Thus, for example, "[A] or [B]"
is true if [A] is true, or if [B] is true, or if both [A] and [B]
are true. Further, the articles "a" and "an" mean "one or more,"
unless specified otherwise or clear from context to be directed to
a singular form. Like reference numerals refer to like elements
throughout. Furthermore, it should be understood that unless
otherwise specified, the terms "data," "content," "digital
content," "information," and similar terms may be at times used
interchangeably.
[0025] Example implementations of the present disclosure relate
generally to role-based collaboration, and in particular, to an
automatic conferencing channel for role-based collaboration for a
project that includes tasks to be executed, such as to realize a
particular deliverable. While example implementations will be
primarily described in conjunction with projects in the airline
industry, it should be understood that example implementations may
be utilized in conjunction with a variety of other projects in a
variety of other industries. One example of a larger industry
sector is the transportation sector in which projects involve the
movement of people and products, and/or the vehicles or other means
on which they are moved. These vehicles include, for example,
rotorcraft, spacecraft, watercraft, motor vehicles, railed vehicles
and the like.
[0026] More particular examples of suitable projects include
scheduled trips with a transportation service provider, such as a
scheduled flight of an aircraft, rotorcraft, spacecraft,
watercraft, motor vehicle, railed vehicle or the like. In other
examples, projects may be or include a vehicle such as service or
maintenance of a vehicle. In some of these examples, a conferencing
channel may be automatically created for a particular vehicle, and
its group members may include those assigned to maintenance tasks
dealing with that particular vehicle. In yet other examples,
projects may include operation of a business, facility, station
(e.g., airport, space station, bus station, train station, port),
coordinated operations such as military operations, or the like. In
some of these examples, a conferencing channel may be automatically
created for a particular station, and its group members may include
station managers for that particular station.
[0027] FIG. 1 illustrates one type of aircraft 100 in the
commercial airline industry that may benefit from example
implementations of the present disclosure. As shown, the aircraft
includes an airframe 102 with a fuselage 104, wings 106 and tail
108. The aircraft also includes a plurality of high-level systems
110 such as a propulsion system. In the particular example shown in
FIG. 1, the propulsion system includes two wing-mounted engines
112. In other implementations, the propulsion system can include
other arrangements, for example, engines carried by other portions
of the aircraft including the fuselage and/or the tail. The
high-level systems may also include an electrical system 114,
hydraulic system 116 and/or environmental system 118. Any number of
other systems may be included.
[0028] FIG. 2 illustrates a system 200 for role-based collaboration
for a project such as a scheduled flight of an aircraft like the
aircraft 100 of FIG. 1, according to some example implementations.
The system may include any of a number of different subsystems,
tools and the like (each an individual system) for performing one
or more functions or operations. The subsystems, tools and the like
of the system may be co-located or directly coupled to one another.
In some examples, various ones of the subsystems, tools and the
like may communicate with one another across one or more computer
networks 202. Further, although shown as part of the system, it
should be understood that any one or more of the subsystems, tools
and the like may function or operate as a separate system without
regard to any of the other subsystems, tools and the like. It
should also be understood that the system may include one or more
additional or alternative subsystems, tools and the like than those
shown in FIG. 2.
[0029] As shown, in some examples, the system 200 includes at least
one source 204 of information 206 about a project that includes
tasks to be executed, such as to realize a particular deliverable,
and that includes roles for execution of the tasks. In examples in
which the project is a scheduled trip with a transportation service
provider such as a scheduled flight of an aircraft, the roles may
include crew roles such as flight crew, ground crew and the like.
More specific examples include pilot, co-pilot, cabin crew (e.g.,
lead purser), gate crew (e.g., gate agent), ramp crew, maintenance,
engineering and the like.
[0030] In some examples, the source 204 includes a memory that may
be located at a single source or distributed across multiple
sources. The source may be or include one or more project
management systems, workflow management systems or the like. In
some examples the project is a scheduled trip with a transportation
service provider that includes at least crew roles; and in some of
these examples, the source may be or include at least one
transportation operations planning system. In the context of an
airline, this may include at least one airline operations planning
system. More particular examples include systems for flight
planning, fleet assignment, operations control, airplane health
management, crew scheduling and the like.
[0031] The information 206 may be stored in a number of different
manners, such as in a database or flat files of any of a number of
different types or formats. For the project that includes roles for
execution of tasks, the information includes the roles and
specified team members 208 assigned to the roles. In some examples,
the information includes role identifiers for the roles. The
specified team members are team members that are specified in the
information, and which may be specified in any of a number of
different manners. For example, a specified team member may be
specified by proper name, nickname, username, handle or the like.
In other examples, a specified team member may be specified by a
pseudonym or alias that the team member assumes for a particular
purpose such as their role for execution of a task of the
project.
[0032] The system 200 of example implementations of the present
disclosure includes a device such as a server computer 210
configured to access the information 206 about the project,
including the roles and specified team members 208 assigned to the
roles. In some examples in which the project is a scheduled trip
with a transportation service provider that includes at least crew
roles, the server computer is configured to access the information
from at least one transportation operations planning system (source
204). In the case of a scheduled flight of an aircraft that
includes at least flight crew and ground crew, the at least one
transportation operations planning system may be or include at
least one airline operations planning system.
[0033] The server computer 210 is configured to create a
conferencing channel 212 for the project, with role-based group
membership, in an online conferencing system 214. The conferencing
channel may be any of a number of different types of conferencing
channels that allow its group members to communicate in real-time
or near-real-time, and that may also include the capability of
buffering communications of or for group members while offline.
More particular examples include chat rooms, instant messaging
systems that include multi-user chat functionality, and the like.
In some examples, the server computer, the online conferencing
system or both may be implemented in a cloud computing
architecture. In some of these examples, then, the conferencing
channel may be a cloud-based communication channel.
[0034] The server computer 210 is configured to join the specified
team members 208 as group members 216 of the conferencing channel
212 according to the roles to which the specified team members 208
are assigned. In some examples, the server computer 210 is also
configured to access a chatbot 218 with access to the information
206 about the project, and join the chatbot as an additional one of
the group members 216 of the conferencing channel 212. According to
example implementations, the specified team members are
automatically joined as the group members of the conferencing
channel. In some examples in which the information 206 includes
role identifiers for the roles, the server computer is configured
to join the specified team members as the group members that are
identified in the conferencing channel by at least the role
identifiers of the roles to which the specified team members are
assigned.
[0035] The server computer 210 may further automatically account
for any changes in the specified team members 208 assigned to the
roles for execution of tasks of the project, or changes in the
roles or tasks that lead to changes in the specified team members.
In some examples, then, the server computer is configured to
automatically (or dynamically, automatically in some further
examples) change the group members 216 of the conferencing channel
212 contemporaneous with any corresponding changes in the specified
team members assigned to the roles. The server computer may
determine changes in the specified team members in a number of
different manners. For example, the server computer may
periodically request information 204 from the source 202 that
indicates changes in the specified team members or from which the
server computer is configured to determine any changes. In another
example, the server computer may receive push notifications from
the source that indicates changes in the specified team members or
from which the server computer is configured to determine any
changes.
[0036] Regardless of the particular manner by which the server
computer 210 joins or changes group members 216 of the conferencing
channel 212, the server computer is further configured to transfer
messages 220 between the group members and thereby the specified
team members 208 via the conferencing channel. The chatbot is
configured to receive messages, and automatically for at least some
of the messages, identify any responsive information about the
project, and reply with the responsive information. The messages
may be sent, received and viewed by the group members via the
conferencing channel.
[0037] In some examples, the server computer 210 may perform one or
more further operations on messages 220 that are transferred
between the group members 216. The server computer may create the
conferencing channel 212 in which group members have role-based
access rights to view messages from certain ones of the group
members, messages with certain content, or the like. In these
examples, the server computer may transfer messages based on the
role-based access rights of the group members, which may include a
text analysis of the messages. In some examples, the server
computer may be additionally or alternatively configured to save or
otherwise store the messages such as to allow for later analysis of
response time and effectivity with respect to the project, and
turnaround time and cause of delays.
[0038] The conferencing channel 212 is accessible to the specified
team members 208 from client software 222 running on user devices
such as computers 224 usable by the specified team members. The
client software may be provided in any of a number of different
manners, such as by one or more software applications like web
portals, web applications, application programs, mobile apps or the
like. In some examples, the client software is embodied as a
software application 226 accessible to all of the specified team
members. In some examples, the client software is integrated with
role-based software applications 228A, 228B, 228C accessible to the
specified team members according to the roles to which the
specified team members are assigned. Examples of suitable
role-based software applications include Jeppesen Aviator, Jeppesen
Crew Tracking including its Crew Access and Crew Exchange add-on
modules, Boeing AHM Notify, Boeing Toolbox Mobile and the like. In
a more particular example in which the project is a scheduled
flight of an aircraft that includes at least flight crew and ground
crew, the client software runs on the user devices (e.g.,
computers) including at least an electronic flight bag (EFB)
accessible to flight crew or more particularly flight deck crew.
One example is Jeppesen Aviator that runs on an EFB.
[0039] FIG. 3 illustrates a graphical user interface (GUI) 300 of
the client software 222 from which the conferencing channel 212 of
the conferencing system 214 is accessible, according to some
example implementations of the present disclosure. In the context
of the GUI, the project is a scheduled flight of an aircraft that
includes crew roles and in particular flight crew and ground crew.
The conferencing channel is for a Flight #1 of an Aircraft, and it
is one of a number of conferencing channels for flights that are
accessible in the GUI. In this regard, the GUI includes a pane 302
from which the conferencing channels for flights may be selected,
including Flight #1, as well as Flight #2, Flight #3 and Flight
#4.
[0040] The GUI 300 also includes a second pane 304 from which the
conferencing channel 212 for the selected Flight #1. In the
illustrated example, the conferencing channel is embodied as a chat
room 306 in which the specified team members 208 assigned to crew
roles for the flight are joined as the group members 216. In the
chat room, the specified team members may share information or
otherwise exchange messages 308 (one of which is called out in the
figure), which in some examples correspond to messages 220. As
shown, the crew roles include a Crew Coordinator, Gate Agent,
Flight Attendant and Pilot assigned to specified team members Niels
Bohr, Rosalind Franklin, Hedy Lamarr and Ken Sain. For each message
from a specified team member, the chat room includes the message
content 310, and may also indicate the sender 312 (by both role
identifier and name) and time 314 when the message was shared on in
the chat room. The message content may include content of any of a
number of different types, including text, images (still or video)
and/or audio.
[0041] As also shown, the chat room 306 may indicate when a
specified team member 208 was added 316. This may coincide with a
change in the specified team members assigned to the crew roles for
the flight, such as when a specified team member is later assigned
to a role and added as a group member 216 of the conferencing
channel 212. Similarly, in another example not shown, the chat room
may indicate when a specified team member was removed or otherwise
left the chat room. This may also coincide with a change in the
specified team members, but when a specified team member is removed
from an assigned role and thereby removed as a group member of the
conferencing channel.
[0042] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating various steps in a method
400 of role-based collaboration, according to example
implementations of the present disclosure. The method includes
accessing information about a project that includes tasks to be
executed, and that includes roles for execution of the tasks, the
information including the roles and specified team members assigned
to the roles, as shown at block 402. The method includes creating a
conferencing channel for the project, with role-based group
membership, in an online conferencing system, as shown at block
404.
[0043] As shown at block 406, the method 400 includes joining the
specified team members as group members of the conferencing channel
according to the roles to which the specified team members are
assigned. The specified team members are automatically joined as
the group members of the conferencing channel. Similarly, the group
members of the conferencing channel automatically change
contemporaneous with any corresponding changes in the specified
team members assigned to the roles. The method also includes
transferring messages between the group members and thereby the
specified team members via the conferencing channel that is
accessible to the specified team members from client software
running on user devices such as computers usable by the specified
team members, as shown at block 408.
[0044] In some examples, accessing the information about the
project at block 402 includes accessing the information including
role identifiers for the roles. In some of these examples, joining
the specified team members at block 406 includes joining the
specified team members as the group members that are identified in
the conferencing channel by at least the role identifiers of the
roles to which the specified team members are assigned.
[0045] In some examples, transferring the messages at block 408
includes transferring the messages via the conferencing channel
that is accessible to the specified team members from the client
software embodied as a software application accessible to all of
the specified team members. In some examples, transferring the
messages includes transferring the messages via the conferencing
channel that is accessible to the specified team members from the
client software integrated with role-based software applications
accessible to the specified team members according to the roles to
which the specified team members are assigned.
[0046] In some examples, the project is a scheduled trip with a
transportation service provider that includes at least crew roles.
In some of these examples, accessing the information at block 402
includes accessing the information from at least one transportation
operations planning system.
[0047] In some examples, the project is a scheduled flight of an
aircraft that includes at least flight crew and ground crew. In
some of these examples, accessing the information at block 402
includes accessing the information from at least one airline
operations planning system. Also in some of these examples,
transferring the messages at block 408 includes transferring the
messages via the conferencing channel that is accessible to the
specified team members from the client software running on the user
devices (e.g., computers) including at least an electronic flight
bag (EFB).
[0048] In some examples, the method 400 further comprises accessing
a chatbot with access to the information about the project, and
joining the chatbot as an additional one of the group members of
the conferencing channel, as shown at blocks 410 and 412. The
chatbot is configured to receive messages, and automatically for at
least some of the messages, identify any responsive information
about the project, and reply with the responsive information.
[0049] According to example implementations of the present
disclosure, the system 200 and its subsystems, tools and the like,
including the source 204, server computer 210, online conferencing
system 214, chatbot 218 and computers 224, may be implemented by
various means. Means for implementing the system and its
subsystems, tools and the like may include hardware, alone or under
direction of one or more computer programs from a computer-readable
storage medium. In some examples, one or more apparatuses may be
configured to function as or otherwise implement the system and its
subsystems shown and described herein. In examples involving more
than one apparatus, the respective apparatuses may be connected to
or otherwise in communication with one another in a number of
different manners, such as directly or indirectly via a wired or
wireless network or the like.
[0050] FIG. 5 illustrates an apparatus 500 according to some
example implementations of the present disclosure. Generally, an
apparatus of example implementations of the present disclosure may
comprise, include or be embodied in one or more fixed or portable
electronic devices. Examples of suitable electronic devices include
a smartphone, tablet computer, laptop computer, desktop computer,
workstation computer, server computer or the like. The apparatus
may include one or more of each of a number of components such as,
for example, processing circuitry 502 (e.g., processor unit)
connected to a memory 504 (e.g., storage device).
[0051] The processing circuitry 502 may be composed of one or more
processors alone or in combination with one or more memories. The
processing circuitry is generally any piece of computer hardware
that is capable of processing information such as, for example,
data, computer programs and/or other suitable electronic
information. The processing circuitry is composed of a collection
of electronic circuits some of which may be packaged as an
integrated circuit or multiple interconnected integrated circuits
(an integrated circuit at times more commonly referred to as a
"chip"). The processing circuitry may be configured to execute
computer programs, which may be stored onboard the processing
circuitry or otherwise stored in the memory 504 (of the same or
another apparatus).
[0052] The processing circuitry 502 may be a number of processors,
a multi-core processor or some other type of processor, depending
on the particular implementation. Further, the processing circuitry
may be implemented using a number of heterogeneous processor
systems in which a main processor is present with one or more
secondary processors on a single chip. As another illustrative
example, the processing circuitry may be a symmetric
multi-processor system containing multiple processors of the same
type. In yet another example, the processing circuitry may be
embodied as or otherwise include one or more ASICs, FPGAs or the
like. Thus, although the processing circuitry may be capable of
executing a computer program to perform one or more functions, the
processing circuitry of various examples may be capable of
performing one or more functions without the aid of a computer
program. In either instance, the processing circuitry may be
appropriately programmed to perform functions or operations
according to example implementations of the present disclosure.
[0053] The memory 504 is generally any piece of computer hardware
that is capable of storing information such as, for example, data,
computer programs (e.g., computer-readable program code 506) and/or
other suitable information either on a temporary basis and/or a
permanent basis. The memory may include volatile and/or
non-volatile memory, and may be fixed or removable. Examples of
suitable memory include random access memory (RAM), read-only
memory (ROM), a hard drive, a flash memory, a thumb drive, a
removable computer diskette, an optical disk, a magnetic tape or
some combination of the above. Optical disks may include compact
disk--read only memory (CD-ROM), compact disk-read/write (CD-R/W),
DVD or the like. In various instances, the memory may be referred
to as a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable
storage medium is a non-transitory device capable of storing
information, and is distinguishable from computer-readable
transmission media such as electronic transitory signals capable of
carrying information from one location to another.
Computer-readable medium as described herein may generally refer to
a computer-readable storage medium or computer-readable
transmission medium.
[0054] In addition to the memory 504, the processing circuitry 502
may also be connected to one or more interfaces for displaying,
transmitting and/or receiving information. The interfaces may
include a communications interface 508 (e.g., communications unit)
and/or one or more user interfaces. The communications interface
may be configured to transmit and/or receive information, such as
to and/or from other apparatus(es), network(s) or the like. The
communications interface may be configured to transmit and/or
receive information by physical (wired) and/or wireless
communications links. Examples of suitable communication interfaces
include a network interface controller (NIC), wireless NIC (WNIC)
or the like.
[0055] The user interfaces may include a display 510 and/or one or
more user input interfaces 512 (e.g., input/output unit). The
display may be configured to present or otherwise display
information to a user, suitable examples of which include a liquid
crystal display (LCD), light-emitting diode display (LED), plasma
display panel (PDP) or the like. The user input interfaces may be
wired or wireless, and may be configured to receive information
from a user into the apparatus, such as for processing, storage
and/or display. Suitable examples of user input interfaces include
a microphone, image or video capture device, keyboard or keypad,
joystick, touch-sensitive surface (separate from or integrated into
a touchscreen), biometric sensor or the like. The user interfaces
may further include one or more interfaces for communicating with
peripherals such as printers, scanners or the like.
[0056] As indicated above, program code instructions may be stored
in memory, and executed by processing circuitry that is thereby
programmed, to implement functions of the systems, subsystems,
tools and their respective elements described herein. As will be
appreciated, any suitable program code instructions may be loaded
onto a computer or other programmable apparatus from a
computer-readable storage medium to produce a particular machine,
such that the particular machine becomes a means for implementing
the functions specified herein. These program code instructions may
also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium that can
direct a computer, a processing circuitry or other programmable
apparatus to function in a particular manner to thereby generate a
particular machine or particular article of manufacture. The
instructions stored in the computer-readable storage medium may
produce an article of manufacture, where the article of manufacture
becomes a means for implementing functions described herein. The
program code instructions may be retrieved from a computer-readable
storage medium and loaded into a computer, processing circuitry or
other programmable apparatus to configure the computer, processing
circuitry or other programmable apparatus to execute operations to
be performed on or by the computer, processing circuitry or other
programmable apparatus.
[0057] Retrieval, loading and execution of the program code
instructions may be performed sequentially such that one
instruction is retrieved, loaded and executed at a time. In some
example implementations, retrieval, loading and/or execution may be
performed in parallel such that multiple instructions are
retrieved, loaded, and/or executed together. Execution of the
program code instructions may produce a computer-implemented
process such that the instructions executed by the computer,
processing circuitry or other programmable apparatus provide
operations for implementing functions described herein.
[0058] Execution of instructions by a processing circuitry, or
storage of instructions in a computer-readable storage medium,
supports combinations of operations for performing the specified
functions. In this manner, an apparatus 500 may include a
processing circuitry 502 and a computer-readable storage medium or
memory 504 coupled to the processing circuitry, where the
processing circuitry is configured to execute computer-readable
program code 506 stored in the memory. It will also be understood
that one or more functions, and combinations of functions, may be
implemented by special purpose hardware-based computer systems
and/or processing circuitry s which perform the specified
functions, or combinations of special purpose hardware and program
code instructions.
[0059] Clause 1: An apparatus comprising a memory configured to
store computer-readable program code; and processing circuitry
configured to access the memory, and execute the computer-readable
program code to cause the apparatus to at least access information
about a project that includes tasks to be executed, and that
includes roles for execution of the tasks, the information
including the roles and specified team members assigned to the
roles; create a conferencing channel for the project, with
role-based group membership, in an online conferencing system; join
the specified team members as group members of the conferencing
channel according to the roles to which the specified team members
are assigned, the specified team members automatically joined as
the group members of the conferencing channel, and the apparatus
caused to automatically change the group members of the
conferencing channel contemporaneous with any corresponding changes
in the specified team members assigned to the roles; and transfer
messages between the group members and thereby the specified team
members via the conferencing channel that is accessible to the
specified team members from client software running on user devices
usable by the specified team members.
[0060] Clause 2: The apparatus of Clause 1, wherein the apparatus
caused to access the information about the project includes the
apparatus caused to access the information including role
identifiers for the roles, and wherein the apparatus caused to join
the specified team members includes the apparatus caused to join
the specified team members as the group members that are identified
in the conferencing channel by at least the role identifiers of the
roles to which the specified team members are assigned.
[0061] Clause 3: The apparatus of Clause 1 or 2, wherein the
apparatus caused to transfer the messages includes the apparatus
caused to transfer the messages via the conferencing channel that
is accessible to the specified team members from the client
software embodied as a software application accessible to all of
the specified team members.
[0062] Clause 4: The apparatus of any of Clauses 1-3, wherein the
apparatus caused to transfer the messages includes the apparatus
caused to transfer the messages via the conferencing channel that
is accessible to the specified team members from the client
software integrated with role-based software applications
accessible to the specified team members according to the roles to
which the specified team members are assigned.
[0063] Clause 5: The apparatus of any of Clauses 1-4, wherein the
project is a scheduled trip with a transportation service provider
that includes at least crew roles, and the apparatus caused to
access the information includes the apparatus caused to access the
information from at least one transportation operations planning
system.
[0064] Clause 6: The apparatus of any of Clauses 1-5, wherein the
project is a scheduled flight of an aircraft that includes at least
flight crew and ground crew, and the apparatus caused to access the
information includes the apparatus caused to access the information
from at least one airline operations planning system, and wherein
the apparatus caused to transfer the messages includes the
apparatus caused to transfer the messages via the conferencing
channel that is accessible to the specified team members from the
client software running on the user devices including at least an
electronic flight bag (EFB).
[0065] Clause 7: The apparatus of any of Clauses 1-6, wherein the
processing circuitry is configured to execute the computer-readable
program code to cause the apparatus to further at least access a
chatbot with access to the information about the project, the
chatbot configured to receive the messages, and automatically for
at least some of the messages, identify any responsive information
about the project, and reply with the responsive information; and
join the chatbot as an additional one of the group members of the
conferencing channel.
[0066] Clause 8: A method comprising accessing information about a
project that includes tasks to be executed, and that includes roles
for execution of the tasks, the information including the roles and
specified team members assigned to the roles; creating a
conferencing channel for the project, with role-based group
membership, in an online conferencing system; joining the specified
team members as group members of the conferencing channel according
to the roles to which the specified team members are assigned, the
specified team members automatically joined as the group members of
the conferencing channel, and the group members of the conferencing
channel automatically changing contemporaneous with any
corresponding changes in the specified team members assigned to the
roles; and transferring messages between the group members and
thereby the specified team members via the conferencing channel
that is accessible to the specified team members from client
software running on user devices usable by the specified team
members.
[0067] Clause 9: The method of Clause 8, wherein accessing the
information about the project includes accessing the information
including role identifiers for the roles, and wherein joining the
specified team members includes joining the specified team members
as the group members that are identified in the conferencing
channel by at least the role identifiers of the roles to which the
specified team members are assigned.
[0068] Clause 10: The method of Clause 8 or 9, wherein transferring
the messages includes transferring the messages via the
conferencing channel that is accessible to the specified team
members from the client software embodied as a software application
accessible to all of the specified team members.
[0069] Clause 11: The method of any of Clauses 8-10, wherein
transferring the messages includes transferring the messages via
the conferencing channel that is accessible to the specified team
members from the client software integrated with role-based
software applications accessible to the specified team members
according to the roles to which the specified team members are
assigned.
[0070] Clause 12: The method of any of Clauses 8-11, wherein the
project is a scheduled trip with a transportation service provider
that includes at least crew roles, and accessing the information
includes accessing the information from at least one transportation
operations planning system.
[0071] Clause 13: The method of any of Clauses 8-12, wherein the
project is a scheduled flight of an aircraft that includes at least
flight crew and ground crew, and accessing the information includes
accessing the information from at least one airline operations
planning system, and wherein transferring the messages includes
transferring the messages via the conferencing channel that is
accessible to the specified team members from the client software
running on the user devices including at least an electronic flight
bag (EFB).
[0072] Clause 14: The method of any of Clauses 8-13, further
comprising accessing a chatbot with access to the information about
the project, the chatbot configured to receive the messages, and
automatically for at least some of the messages, identify any
responsive information about the project, and reply with the
responsive information; and joining the chatbot as an additional
one of the group members of the conferencing channel.
[0073] Clause 15: A system, comprising a device configured to at
least: access information about a project that includes tasks to be
executed, and that includes roles for execution of the tasks, the
information including the roles and specified team members assigned
to the roles; create a conferencing channel for the project, with
role-based group membership, in an online conferencing system; and
join the specified team members as group members of the
conferencing channel according to the roles to which the specified
team members are assigned, the specified team members automatically
joined as the group members of the conferencing channel, and the
device configured to automatically change the group members of the
conferencing channel contemporaneous with any corresponding changes
in the specified team members assigned to the roles; and a
plurality of user devices usable by the specified team members to
transfer messages between the group members, the plurality of user
devices configured to run client software from which the
conferencing channel is accessible to the specified team members,
the device configured to transfer the messages between the group
members and thereby the specified team members via the conferencing
channel.
[0074] Clause 16: The system of Clause 15, wherein the device
configured to access the information about the project includes the
device configured to access the information including role
identifiers for the roles, and wherein the device configured to
join the specified team members includes the device configured to
join the specified team members as the group members that are
identified in the conferencing channel by at least the role
identifiers of the roles to which the specified team members are
assigned.
[0075] Clause 17: The system of Clause 15 or 16, wherein the
plurality of user devices are configured to run the client software
embodied as a software application accessible to all of the
specified team members.
[0076] Clause 18: The system of any of Clauses 15-17, wherein the
plurality of user devices are configured to run the client software
integrated with role-based software applications accessible to the
specified team members according to the roles to which the
specified team members are assigned.
[0077] Clause 19: The system of any of Clauses 15-18, wherein the
project is a scheduled trip with a transportation service provider
that includes at least crew roles, and the device configured to
access the information includes the device configured to access the
information from at least one transportation operations planning
system.
[0078] Clause 20: The system of any of Clauses 15-19, wherein the
project is a scheduled flight of an aircraft that includes at least
flight crew and ground crew, and the device configured to access
the information includes the device configured to access the
information from at least one airline operations planning system,
and wherein the plurality of user devices are configured to run the
client software include at least an electronic flight bag
(EFB).
[0079] Clause 21: The system of any of Clauses 15-20 further
comprising a chatbot with access to the information about the
project, the chatbot configured to receive the messages, and
automatically for at least some of the messages, identify any
responsive information about the project, and reply with the
responsive information, wherein the device is further configured to
join the chatbot as an additional one of the group members of the
conferencing channel.
[0080] Many modifications and other implementations of the
disclosure set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the
art to which the disclosure pertains having the benefit of the
teachings presented in the foregoing description and the associated
figures. Therefore, it is to be understood that the disclosure is
not to be limited to the specific implementations disclosed and
that modifications and other implementations are intended to be
included within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover,
although the foregoing description and the associated figures
describe example implementations in the context of certain example
combinations of elements and/or functions, it should be appreciated
that different combinations of elements and/or functions may be
provided by alternative implementations without departing from the
scope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example,
different combinations of elements and/or functions than those
explicitly described above are also contemplated as may be set
forth in some of the appended claims. Although specific terms are
employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense
only and not for purposes of limitation.
* * * * *